OTTAWA, April 6, 2017 /CNW/ - The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change will join Veterans, Parliamentarians, members of the Diplomatic Corps Canadian Armed Forces personnel, RCMP members, Indigenous representatives, youth and other special guests at the National War Memorial in Ottawa to mark the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

The commemorative ceremony is an opportunity for Canadians to come together at home and remember the service and sacrifice of those who fought at Vimy and during the First World War.

The morning program on April 9th will include performances by Dr. Andrea McCrady, Dominion Carillonneur; the Canadian Armed Forces Contingent Central Band; the Ottawa Choral Society; Mr. Dave Hookimaw and Mr. Theland Kicknosway; Soloist Sierra Noble; as well as a smudging ceremony and guest appearances from Silver Cross Mothers, Colleen Fitzpatrick and Gisèle Michaud.

Location:

National War Memorial and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

30 Wellington St.

Ottawa, ON

Date:

April 9, 2017

Time:

6:30 a.m. – Royal Canadian Army Cadets Vigil Guard will stand down

8:30 a.m. – pre-ceremony begins

9:00 a.m. – ceremony begins

10:00 a.m. – ceremony ends

Note: All times local

Notes for media:

Media must arrive no later than 7:15 a.m.

Open coverage of the ceremony and photo opportunity from designated areas only.

Accreditation is required by April 7, 2017. Please contact the Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery at 613-992-6517 or at marc.fortier@parl.gc.ca

Road closures around the National War Memorial will be in effect starting at 7:00 a.m. and media access to the site will only be authorized with valid accreditation

Media interested in interviewing members of the Government of Canada delegation, can contact Veterans Affairs Canada Media Relations in advance at 613-992-7468 or by e-mail at vac.media-medias.acc@vac-acc.gc.ca

2017 is a special year of commemoration for Canada as we remember the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge, the 75th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid and the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Passchendaele and we celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation.